Northern Christian College
May 2007

60 Years of Christ-Centered Development

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

For 60 long years, an institution of higher learning in Northern Luzon has been unselfishly dedicating itself to Christ-centered development not only among the youths that come under its wings to learn but also among the hordes of believers hungry for spiritual nurturing and enlightenment. This is the Northern Christian College (NCC) with its unique mission of turning out professionals steeped in moral and spiritual values and ministers who are dedicated to and focused on their faith and ministry.

The Northern Christian College, one of the private institutions of higher learning in Ilocos Norte, is located at the northwestern portion of Laoag City proper. Its operations started in 1946 after the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese. A group of evangelical leaders in the Ilocos thought of putting up a college offering both religious and secular courses. The plan was presented to the Convention of the Churches of Christ of Northern Luzon in 1946. This was approved with great enthusiasm and came into realization on March 14, l946.

NCC opened its doors to the youths of Northern Luzon on July 8, 1946. On August 19, 1946, the College was incorporated under the laws of the Philippines through the efforts of Rev. Silvestre Morales, Dr. Juan F. Santos and Atty. Evaristo Tagatac with the following members of the Board of Trustees: Bishop Cecilio Lorenzana as chairman; Rev. Pablo Bringas, vice-chairman; Atty. Evaristo Tagatac, secretary; and Mrs. Manuela Ablan and Mr. Cesario Paguyo, members.

During its first year of operation, the College had in its curriculum the first year preparatory courses in Law, Medicine, Nursing, Business and Commerce, Education, Engineering, Junior Normal, General Course and the Ministry with emphasis on Christian character. All these courses were recognized by government.

Dr. Juan F. Santos was installed as the first president of NCC and he served for 32 years. In the first ten years, the school operated as a cooperative until it became a non-stock, non-profit corporation and a church-related educational institution in 1956. Three more presidents and two officers in charge came after Dr. Santos.

Milestones were made under each of the five preceding administrations. But even with funding assistance from private and foreign agencies, especially during the incumbency of the third president, losses were incurred under each administration resulting to very big amounts that would scare any incoming administrator with weak resolve. Financial assistance came from the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), the Association for Christian Schools and Colleges (ACSC), the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA) and Evangelische Zentralstelle fur Entwicklungshilfe (EZE) of Germany.

NCC’s life as an institution is one of a bright start gradually leading to severe financial distress and to revival - a story of transformation from a severely financially strapped institution that was heavily dependent on external financial assistance especially from abroad and in the red for at least 16 years until 1997. It took one brave, committed man who was molded in the corporate world to revive the gasping institution. Today, it is a progressive, vibrant, and stable school with millions of surplus. It is the "New Northern Christian College."

PRESENT TIMES

Unknowing of the problems ahead of him, the incumbent president, Dr. Caesar I. Agnir, was asked why after 32 fruitful and powerful years in the corporate world, accepted the presidency of a small college. His response was, "to answer a call to an important ministry and to reinforce the emotional investments of my forebears". He was installed on September 27, 1995 as the fifth president of NCC.

After taking stock of the situation and unmindful of the destabilization attempts of some detractors to sabotage his efforts of cleansing the school, he installed new operating systems and procedures and put into practice the theories and principles fortified by his experiences and exposure as a high-level professional manager in a corporate world. At the end of his third full financial year, the almost R6 million accumulated loss and more than R6 million in depreciation account deficit he inherited in September 1995 had been totally erased. By the end of May 2006, NCC had a net income of R17.8 million and a total asset of over R114 million. As of June 28, 2006, NCC had the highest level of cash surplus of R47.10 million in all its financial history. It has so far deployed capital expenditures of over R75 million without any bank loans, using only internally generated funds. There has been absolutely no financial assistance from outside, either local or foreign, for President Agnir put an end to the "begging bowl". About R44 million is invested in the money market earning R3-4 million per year.

Human Resource Development

Under President Agnir’s presidency, the faculty and staff have enjoyed bonanzas through annual compensation increases. These are sometimes given twice, even thrice a year, even when there are no tuition fee increases. This is also true with performance and Christmas bonuses. There are even faculty members and staff whose salaries have been quintupled or more since he took over.

In terms of professional development, NCC gives 100 percent free tuition fee to its faculty enrolled in the College’s graduate programs, and 50% discount if they are enrolled in other institutions. They are also encouraged to attend, all expenses paid, relevant seminars, conferences and conventions although the College is wary of trainings that are recycled and are used as moneymaking business.

One program that is the envy of other schools is the partially funded group foreign educational trips of deserving faculty and staff given every two years. On November 22 to 26, 2003 the group went to Bangkok, Thailand; August 17 to 22, 2005 to Beijing and Shanghai, China. Another group is scheduled to go to Hong Kong this July 2007.

Infrastructure Development

The Adamson Hall built in the 1920s, NCC’s oldest structure, and three other buildings, i.e., Founders’ Hall, Science building and the EZE building, all depreciated, have been fully restored/renovated. After its renovation, the Founders’ Hall, once condemned by the Commission on Higher Education as risk to life and limb, now houses a mini hotel lobby, bar and restaurant laboratory, and hotel laboratory for the practicum of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Technology (BSTHRT) students. The restoration/renovation of the other old buildings was the first step in Dr. Agnir’s infrastructure development program.

Among the new buildings, a Community Health Center for the training of nursing and midwifery students was constructed in a northern town of Ilocos Norte. The auditorium was extended to be able to seat 1,000 people at one time with state-of-the-art sound system. With a wall separating it at the back is the New Media Center for midweek prayer meetings, Bible studies, seminars, meetings and conferences. Above the auditorium are the Library and 12 additional classrooms for the Graduate School.

Completed in July 2005 is the five-storey Science and Technology worth R20 million and equipped with facilities worth R5 million. It houses the laboratories for the science classes and the facilities for the Medical Transcription Course. NCC was the first of two institutions offering the Medical Transcription Course in Northern Luzon.

Technological Development

In keeping with the advances in science and technology, NCC installed major technological and laboratory equipment such as state-of-the-art hospital simulation facilities, internet connections, and more units of computers for administrative and instructional use,

high tech speech laboratory, customized chemistry and modern nutrition laboratories. High ranking education officials who visited the simulation hospital say that it is the best in the northern part of the Philippines if not in the whole country.

NCC maintains an E-Library where students and faculty have internet access. The faculty members are given a certain number of hours of free internet access.

Other Facilities

NCC has a dormitory that is open for female faculty, staff, and students. A newly acquired mini bus is being used by the College for transporting students and faculty for educational trips, community extension work, and for Lakbay Ebanghelio, the College of Theology community service to far flung barangays.

One thing that is emphasized in the rebuilding of NCC is the uniqueness of how it is being done. Every peso spent in the process is internally generated. There are no bank loans, no outside assistance and no debt incurred. An unsolicited remark of a supplier of construction material to a building contractor says it all: "NCC is the cleanest institution in Ilocos Norte. Not only do they pay their bills on time; they also do not expect, much less demand, any commissions or kickbacks."

FLAGSHIP COURSES

Being a Christian school, NCC’s flagship programs are under the College of Theology. These are: Bachelor of Arts in Theology (ABTh); Bachelor of Pastoral Theology (BPTh); Bachelor of Religious Education- major in Early Childhood Education (BRE-ECE); and Master of Theology (MTh).

The theological program now emphasizes pastoral theology. This is NCC’s immediate response to the call of its faith community for workers who will minister to the hordes of believers hungering for spiritual nurturing and enlightenment. Another new feature in the Theology curriculum is a more vigorous practicum program called Lakbay Ebanghelio for all Theology students at all levels. The College of Theology responds to invitations from various UCCP churches to worship with them.

To complement the curricular innovation, the College of Theology embarked on a daring and long range "church-planting" program wherein the Theology group regularly conducts Bible studies and mini services every Saturday afternoon in communities where there are no evangelical churches. This is done until the end of the semester and resumed the following year. When the time is ripe and the community feels a need for a place of worship, then the "harvest" is done.

To encourage students to go into the Theology Program NCC gives a monthly stipend of P900 to deserving students. This is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from generous benefactors such as the Agnir clan. The donations are duly acknowledged and receipted for by the Cashier’s Office and the stipends are distributed personally by the Vice President for Administration .

At the Graduate School three programs are offered: Doctor of Education, Master of Arts in Education with different major fields of specialization, and Master in Public Administration. It is NCC’s pride that majority of the school administrators in Northern Philippines are products of its Graduate School including the Regional Director of the Department of Education of Region 1.

Other courses offered are: Bachelor of Arts with different fields of specialization, Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Secondary Education with major fields of concentration, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Bachelor of Science in Office Administration with a 2-year Certificate in Computer Secretarial Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Associate in Health Science Education and Graduate in Midwifery. NCC is the only school offering Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Starting first semester, school year 2006-2007, NCC offered the 6-month Medical Transcription Course and the 160-hour Medical Transcription Finishing Course. It also offers High School, Elementary, and Kindergarten

In the licensure examinations conducted each year, NCC is proud of the performance of its graduates in Nursing and Education, especially for the administrative positions. Starting in second semester of 2006-2007, the school commends these graduates who pass the licensure examinations and those who do outstanding work in their field of discipline by formally recognizing them through a program. They are dubbed the New Breed of NCC’s Flag Bearers (NBNFB). This will be a continuing activity to inspire and encourage the graduates of NCC. ( Virginia A. Duldulao, Ph D)

For more information about NCC, email them at cia@digitelone.com

DR. CAESAR I. AGNIR

The Man Behind NCC’s Transformation
By Virginia A. Duldulao, PhD
Acting Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Community Extension and Development

The Northern Christian College’s (NCC) Board of Trustees implored him to become the college president. He was at that time enjoying his new-found private life in his family’s farm south of Metro Manila. He had just left behind 32 years as corporate executive in Makati and abroad, 28 of them spent with the Ayala Group of Companies in various capacities. He also spent three years as chairman of an Ayala-affiliated educational foundation in Makati during which he interfaced closely with top universities in the Philippines. His years in Makati also included supervising, among other operations, the human resource and management development program of another Ayala affiliate company.

He came to NCC in response to an appeal and a challenge through a skillfully crafted letter that touched his faith heritage, filial devotion, and his ego. On September 27, 1995 Dr. Caesar I. Agnir was installed as the fifth president of NCC.

The President’s Track Record

Aside from his professional experiences, he brought with him a brilliant track record in the academe and as a student leader in the University of the Philippines Diliman where he finished his Liberal Arts and Bachelor of Laws in 1958 and 1960, respectively. He was one of the most be-medalled students in the 1950s. He distinguished himself in writing, oratory, debating, and extemporaneous speaking. He was the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, UP’s official student publication in 1958-59. He was elected to the Phi Kappa International Honor Society upon his graduation.

The Transformation

President Agnir inherited an accumulated loss of nearly R6 million to which his six immediate predecessors contributed varying amounts, a bank loan of about R1 million and a depreciation account deficit of about R7 million. Most of the buildings, with one major building already condemned by the Commission on Higher Education, as it was a hazard to life and limb, needed repairs or renovation. He identified the reasons for the sorry state of affairs of the college: management was lax; operating procedures were loose; few systems and control mechanisms were in place; and those few systems and mechanisms that were already in place were not strictly enforced.

The President immediately put his training and experience as a corporate executive and manager into turning NCC around. He addressed the inadequacies by setting up systems and control mechanisms in all operating areas of NCC. In about four months after he became president, the College had paid off its R1 million bank loan, and in another three years he had erased the nearly R6 million of accumulated losses and nearly R7 million depreciation account deficit. This means that after three years and four months, the net income now exceeded the total deficits or losses accumulated over the years.

Emboldened by the positive results, he started renovating depreciated/condemned buildings, constructing new ones, replacing office and laboratory equipment with new ones, installing personal computers both for instruction and for the various offices, and wiring the school to the internet. A Manila hi-tech company conducted a two-year training program for key faculty and staff to phase-in computer-assisted instruction.

In addition to all the above, compensations of faculty and staff have quadrupled and quintupled and academic standards have improved. The increase in salaries and the grant of bonuses have helped elevate academic standards and indirectly improved the passing rates in board examinations. The faculty members have, with better emoluments and better financial assistance for self-development, enhanced their competencies. The turn-overs were replaced by better quality manpower whom NCC was able to attract because of its competitive compensation scales.

Side by side the physical transformation of NCC is a radical change in its corporate culture – new and positive employee attitude that includes rigorous punctuality, a new work ethic, a new sense of urgency, a strong sense of unity and commitment and a self-driven impulse to walk the extra mile. One visitor remarked, "there seems to be an aura pervading the NCC environment and directing and orchestrating the transformation".

A truly principled and spiritual man, President Agnir together with his beautiful and intelligent wife, Prof. Adela N. Agnir, consultant of the College of Nursing, being a professional nurse (UP Diliman alumna), and dean of the College of Theology, put verve into the spiritual life of the NCC community. There are regular worship services and Bible studies for students and for faculty and staff.

Three "Open" Secrets

The old NCC is gone. In its stead is a transformed school both physically and operationally. Alumni and school guests, local and foreign, who visited NCC for the first time since 1995, asked President Agnir how he did it. Always in his organized and logical way, he succinctly explained: "The first is plenty of prayers because nothing is possible unless God wills it so."

The second is a working familiarity with some essential tools and techniques in resource management such as: budgeting, accounting, investments, systems, basic finance, basic management principles, quick, critical, integrative thinking, and decisiveness. And the third, which is the most important factor, is absolute integrity, especially with respect to money matters.

A school head, President Agnir said, may be technically competent but if he is utterly dishonest, the institution he heads is bound to lose heavily and the magnitude of the loss will be limited only by the range and extent of his dishonesty.

People who work with him are lucky and happy, maybe not at the start because he imposes discipline, not only of monetary reasons but more for the values they imbibe. If one has worked with him, he can work anywhere and with anybody. At his end, he says: "Most of the members of my team now work with a passion, a sense of urgency, an eagerness to walk the extra mile, and an abiding commitment to a vision towards making NCC a significant presence in the academe."

Because of his outstanding track records, Dr. Agnir has been offered the presidency of three big universities and got other offers. He refused these because of his commitment to NCC and the pleas of its Board of Trustees "to continue conserving the gains made during his presidency." He is now in his 12th year, serving part of another five years, making him the second longest-serving NCC president.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

 
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